Yemen’s Houthis appoint new Mufti educated in Iran

Houthi militias have appointed Beraas Shams al-Din Muhammad Sharaf al-Din as a new Mufti to be the leading authority in issuing fatwas in Sanaa, a decision reflects a sectarian ideological orientation of the militia and could create sectarian division in Yemen.

Sharaf al-Din, who was educated in Iran, replaced Judge Mohammed bin Ismail Al-Omrani as the Mufti.

The newly appointed mufti is believed to be one of the most important links between Iran and the Houthi rebellion movement. He is a political activist with the Houthi movement and was a member of the political delegation of the militias that went to Moscow last year to persuade Russia to recognize the power of the Houthis in Sanaa.

The decision has been widely rejected by Yemenis in the capital.